What is feminist theater?
This form of theater started in the 1970's. It is a form of theater which supports and focuses on women's rights and issues. It was born form a sense of activism and has grown in popularity every since "The contemporary U.S. women's movement rekindled itself partly out of profound disaffection with the misogyny of the male left." Women were able to discuss themselves freely and talk about topics which had in the past been taboo. (Fennell pg. 21) "..spoke directly to its constituents about women's subordinate position in dominant culture and possibilities for change." (Fennell pg. 21)This form of theater started to break down gender roles and take out women's issues with misogyny, the patriarch, sexism, elitism, and level of citizenship head on. Women's theater gave women a voice and an outlet. Alternative women's theater began to decline in the 1980s, but it still has some participants who remember it's style and influence to this day. Women's theater really impacted the way society viewed women and how they gave women a voice. It will always be known as having that impact on the women's rights movement.
Trifles as a feminist play.
Trifles is 100% a feminist play. Two women go against everything they have known to be true to support their fellow woman. They do not do this just to be a feminist, they do this because they have growth as a character within their own story line. The two women recognize the plight and struggle of their peer Mrs. Wright and they choose to support her and stand with her in solidarity agains the men who would wish to bring her to their form of justice. Living in a man's world these two women, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, recognize that they are second class citizens. They recognize the voice, or lack thereof, that women had during this time. The women see that actual justice can not be served in this situation because the situation is not a black and white situation. The law says everything is black and white but this situation falls within the grey area. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters make the hard decision to go against their husbands and go against the belief that they have known since youth which is that the law is justice to support MRs. Wright. The women do this simply because they follow their moral code. The play is anything but simple yet if you were to simplify it then this would become increasingly obvious.
What is feminist theater?
This form of theater started in the 1970's. It is a form of theater which supports and focuses on women's rights and issues. It was born form a sense of activism and has grown in popularity every since "The contemporary U.S. women's movement rekindled itself partly out of profound disaffection with the misogyny of the male left." Women were able to discuss themselves freely and talk about topics which had in the past been taboo. (Fennell pg. 21) "..spoke directly to its constituents about women's subordinate position in dominant culture and possibilities for change." (Fennell pg. 21)This form of theater started to break down gender roles and take out women's issues with misogyny, the patriarch, sexism, elitism, and level of citizenship head on. Women's theater gave women a voice and an outlet. Alternative women's theater began to decline in the 1980s, but it still has some participants who remember it's style and influence to this day. Women's theater really impacted the way society viewed women and how they gave women a voice. It will always be known as having that impact on the women's rights movement.
Trifles as a feminist play.
Trifles is 100% a feminist play. Two women go against everything they have known to be true to support their fellow woman. They do not do this just to be a feminist, they do this because they have growth as a character within their own story line. The two women recognize the plight and struggle of their peer Mrs. Wright and they choose to support her and stand with her in solidarity agains the men who would wish to bring her to their form of justice. Living in a man's world these two women, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, recognize that they are second class citizens. They recognize the voice, or lack thereof, that women had during this time. The women see that actual justice can not be served in this situation because the situation is not a black and white situation. The law says everything is black and white but this situation falls within the grey area. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters make the hard decision to go against their husbands and go against the belief that they have known since youth which is that the law is justice to support MRs. Wright. The women do this simply because they follow their moral code. The play is anything but simple yet if you were to simplify it then this would become increasingly obvious.
Citation:
Fennell, James. "Feminist Theater" Thea 2110, Richmond. Spring 2018. 21-22. Print